Officials announced the new amusement as a crane behind them tore apart what remained of the Jet Star Roller Coaster and placed the remnants on a barge for removal. Plunged into the ocean following the storm, the coaster has become a symbol for damage wrought by Sandy.

Officials seemed prepared for criticism about naming an amusement after the storm, which reshaped the state’s shoreline, wrecked thousands of homes in New Jersey and led to 135 deaths along the East Coast.

“We hope that it’s perceived in a positive way, that we’re back, we know the force of Mother Nature, and that we respect that, and this is our way of celebrating,” said Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers.

Some beachgoers and residents Tuesday said the name evoked painful memories for them.

“I don’t want a reminder of superstorm Sandy, that’s how I feel about it,” said Frankie Rainey, owner of Frankie’s Amusements, a business on the boardwalk that Mr. Rainey said has taken a financial hit from the storm. “I would have thought of something different.”

Jennifer Weiss for The Wall Street Journal

The new Super Storm ride awaiting installation.

Marie and Bill King of Toms River felt that the ride’s name capitalized on the storm’s destruction. Ms. King, 67, said the storm has brought “nothing but heartache” for her family, including her sister, who lost a second home in Ocean Beach.

“They’re trying to get ride of the memory of what happened, and they’re trying to put something up there to perpetuate it?” asked Mr. King, 69.

Josh Karu, a Casino Pier manager, said the new ride was manufactured by Technical Park and has already been built and delivered. He described it as a pendulum in which riders are seated in a circle, facing inwards. The ride swings back and forth and goes upside down, “and makes a 360-degree revolution as it spins around,” Karu said. “It’s a high-thrill ride.” It is geared more toward older children, teenagers and adults.

A spokesman for Technical Park did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The Super Storm is expected to go toward the back of the pier, so as quick as we can get that built and set we’ll put it in place and get it ready,” said Lou Cirigliano, director of operations for Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach.

He said the ride would definitely be in place this summer, “hopefully well before the Fourth of July.”

Casino Pier Spokeswoman Toby Wolf said the ride would be a symbol of the strength and resiliency of the Jersey Shore. And some beachgoers said they thought naming the new amusement after the storm could be a draw for tourists.

“I guess that’s what it’s known for here,” said James Tatesure, 34, of Toms River. “It could bring more people to the area.”

Mayor Akers said that he, too, hoped the name would attract crowds. “I’d rather have a strong opinion than no opinion at all, that means there’s a lot of interest. … I’m hoping that people, instead of just judging by what they’re hearing, they come down and see it and then form their own opinions.”

Corrections & Amplifications: In an earlier version of this article, the new ride was incorrectly called Superstorm. It is Super Storm.